THE PLUNKET SHIELD

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 15

THE PLUNKET SHIELD

OTAGOATNEWYEAR

STRONG CHALLENGERS DICKINSON AND DUNNING. HOWDEN WILL BE POPULAR. The Otago cricket selectors, Messrs. G. G. Austin, J. McMullan and A. Galland, have selected the following players to represent Otago on the northern tour this season:—K. M. Uttlev (University, captain), T. Chettleburgh (Orange), G. R. Dickinson (H. 5.0.8.), J. A. Dunning (Carisbrook), C. Elmes (Grange), T. Frascr (Carisbrook), L. Groves (H. 5.0.8.), C. P.. Hcvwden (University), A. R. Knight (Grange), G. Mills (H. 5.0.8.), G. Robertson (Dunedin), R. Silver (Albion). The best-known players to Aueklanders are the stock bowlers G. R. Dickinson (fast) and J. A. Dunning (medium). The former is the veteran of the side, as he was first capped for Otago away back in 1922. On that New ear he took five for 41 and three for 39 at Eden Park. He has represented New Zealand on both the Rugby and cricket fields, a double equalled only by M. L. Page (Canterbury), C. J. Oliver (Canterbury), and E. W. Tindill (Wellington). D. M. Sandman, another Canterburian. however, played for the New Zealand XT. on many occasions, and for the celebrated New Zealand Army XV. in South Africa in 1919.

Knight, one of the openinjr batsmen, has a couple of useful scores to his credit ajrainst Auckland, and his SI at Dunedin last year comprised about half of his team's aggregate in the first innings of the game, in which Carson and Whitelaw established a world record third wicket partnership. Uttley top scored in both innings here four years ngo, and pleased with his spectacular fleldinp.

Elmes (left-hander) will be remembered as the batsman who gave two chances running when his score was 99 in the third Test against Holmes' 193536 M.C.C. eleven. The second was gratefully accepted.

Groves (spin) and Silver (fast) were both "prospects" for the New Zealand team 'which toured the United Kingdom this year, and the latter has been going "great guns" all this season.

Perhaps the most interesting personality to the Auckland public will be C. P. Howden, a promising batsman and mcdium-paced bowler. He is a son of Dr. C. E. Howden (Waiuku), who played for Otago 29 years ago in a Plunket Shield when his brother, A. M. Howden (North Shore) was a leading bowler in the opposing Auckland XI. here. Formerly in the King's College team, the young player is certain to be a popular figure at Eden Park.

The surprise choice is Fraser, of whom it is said that he might well have waited for another year before promotion to representative cricket.

' Mills is the wicket-keeper, and other bowlers are Robertson (fast medium), Chettleburgh (le<j spinner) and Elmes (left-arm medium).

| REP. PROGRAMME. I | TWO EDEN PARK CONTESTS. j {The Plunket Shield engagements J for the 1937-38 season are:— i ! Otago v. Canterbury, at Christ- J I church, December 25, 27, 28, j j 29. | : Canterbury ▼. Wellington, at 1 I Wellington, December 31, I | January 1, 3, 4. j j Otago v. Auckland, at Auckland, j I January 1, 3, 4, 5. j (Canterbury v. Auckland, at j Auckland, January 7, 8, 10, t 11- 1 j Auckland v. Wellington, at Wei- | J lington, in February. T : Wellington v. Otago, at Dunedin, : I in February. I